U.S. patent application number 12/603686 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-22 for optical patch panel device.
Invention is credited to Eric Fankhauser, Rakesh Patel.
Application Number | 20100098376 12/603686 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42108739 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100098376 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fankhauser; Eric ; et
al. |
April 22, 2010 |
Optical Patch Panel Device
Abstract
Various embodiments of patch panel devices are enclosed. In some
embodiments, signals received are in an electrical or optical form
and converted to the other form. The converted signal is provided
as an output signal. A version of the original input may also be
provided as an input. A signal injector can inject a optical or
electrical signal that is selectively injected into the output
signals. Various embodiments also include sensor to detecting the
connecting of an electrical or optical line.
Inventors: |
Fankhauser; Eric;
(Burlington, CA) ; Patel; Rakesh; (Mississauga,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BERESKIN AND PARR LLP/S.E.N.C.R.L., s.r.l.
40 KING STREET WEST, BOX 401
TORONTO
ON
M5H 3Y2
CA
|
Family ID: |
42108739 |
Appl. No.: |
12/603686 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61107497 |
Oct 22, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
385/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04Q 2011/0083 20130101;
H04Q 1/13 20130101; H04Q 11/0003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/16 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/26 20060101
G02B006/26 |
Claims
1. An optical patch panel device comprising: an optical input port
for receiving an input optical signal; an electrical output port
for transmitting an output electrical signal; an
optical-to-electrical converter for generating the output
electrical signal in response to the input optical signal; a signal
monitor for monitoring at least one of the input optical signal or
the output electrical signal; a signal injector having an active
and an inactive mode; wherein, when the signal injector is in its
active mode: the signal injector is operative to allow injection of
an injected optical signal or an injected electrical signal; the
output electrical signal corresponds to the injected signal; if the
injected signal is an optical signal, the converter is adapted to
generate the output electrical signal corresponding to the injected
signal; if the injected signal is an electrical signal, the
converter is inoperative (or alternatively switched out of the
circuit); and wherein, when the signal injector is in its inactive
mode, then the converter generates the output electrical signal
corresponding to the input optical signal.
2. The optical patch panel device of claim 1, wherein the signal
monitor is comprised of a splitter for generating a monitoring
signal.
3. The optical patch panel device of claim 1, wherein the signal
injector is comprised of a switch adapted to generate an output
signal corresponding to the injected signal.
4. The optical patch panel device of claim 1, wherein the signal
injector is controlled by a sensor for sensing the connection of at
least one of a second optical signal or a second electrical
signal.
5. The optical patch panel device of claim 1, wherein the signal
injector is comprised of a combiner adapted to generate an output
signal corresponding to the injected signal.
6. The optical patch panel device of claim 4, wherein the sensor is
comprised of a light emitter and a light sensor, the light sensor
detecting the connection of at least one of a second optical signal
or a second electrical signal based on whether or not it receives
light emitted by the light emitter.
7. The optical patch panel device of claim 4, wherein the sensor is
comprised of two capacitance plates, the capacitance plates
detecting the connection of at least one of a second optical signal
or a second electrical signal based on the measure of capacitance
between the two capacitance plates.
8. The optical patch panel device of claim 4, wherein the sensor is
comprised of a switch, the switch adapted to detect the connection
of at least one of a second optical signal or a second electrical
signal.
9. The optical patch panel device of claim 4, wherein the sensor is
comprised of a micro-switch, the micro-switch adapted to detect the
connection of at least one of a second optical signal or a second
electrical signal.
10. The optical patch panel device of claim 9 further including a
button mounted to the micro-switch, wherein the button has a first
position in which it does not depress the micro-switch and a second
position in which it depresses the micro-switch.
11. The optical patch panel device of claim 4, wherein the sensor
is comprised of a micro-switch and one or more switch arms, the
micro-switch detecting the connection of at least one of a second
optical signal or a second electrical signal when the switch arms
move from a first position to a second position.
12. The optical patch panel device of claim 1, wherein the optical
patch panel device is hot-swappable.
13. An optical patch panel device comprising: an electrical input
port for receiving an input electrical signal; an optical output
port for transmitting an output optical signal; an
electrical-to-optical converter for generating the output optical
signal in response to the input electrical signal; a signal monitor
for monitoring at least one of the input electrical signal or the
output optical signal; a signal injector having an active and an
inactive mode; wherein, when the signal injector is in its active
mode: the signal injector is operative to allow injection of an
injected optical signal or an injected electrical signal; the
output optical signal corresponds to the injected signal; if the
injected signal is an electrical signal, the converter is adapted
to generate the output optical signal corresponding to the injected
signal; if the injected signal is an optical signal, the converter
is inoperative (or alternatively switched out of the circuit); and
wherein, when the signal injector is in its inactive mode, then the
converter generates the output optical signal corresponding to the
input electrical signal.
14. The optical patch panel device of claim 13, wherein the signal
monitor is comprised of a splitter for generating a monitoring
signal.
15. The optical patch panel device of claim 13, wherein the signal
injector is comprised of a switch adapted to generate an output
signal corresponding to the injected signal.
16. The optical patch panel device of claim 13, wherein the signal
injector is controlled by a sensor for sensing the connection of at
least one of a second optical signal or a second electrical
signal.
17. The optical patch panel device of claim 13, wherein the signal
injector is comprised of a combiner adapted to generate an output
signal corresponding to the injected signal.
18. The optical patch panel device of claim 16, wherein the sensor
is comprised of a light emitter and a light sensor, the light
sensor detecting the connection of at least one of a second optical
signal or a second electrical signal based on whether or not it
receives light emitted by the light emitter.
19. The optical patch panel device of claim 16, wherein the sensor
is comprised of two capacitance plates, the capacitance plates
detecting the connection of at least one of a second optical signal
or a second electrical signal based on the measure of capacitance
between the two capacitance plates.
20. The optical patch panel device of claim 16, wherein the sensor
is comprised of a switch, the switch adapted to detect the
connection of at least one of a second optical signal or a second
electrical signal.
21. The optical patch panel device of claim 16, wherein the sensor
is comprised of a micro-switch, the micro-switch adapted to detect
the connection of at least one of a second optical signal or a
second electrical signal.
22. The optical patch panel device of claim 21 further including a
button mounted to the micro-switch, wherein the button has a first
position in which it does not depress the micro-switch and a second
position in which it depresses the micro-switch.
23. The optical patch panel device of claim 16, wherein the sensor
is comprised of a micro-switch and one or more switch arms, the
micro-switch detecting the connection of at least one of a second
optical signal or a second electrical signal when the switch arms
move from a first position to a second position.
24. The optical patch panel device of claim 16, wherein the optical
patch panel device is hot-swappable.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of electrical
and optical networking, and more particularly to the conversion,
injection, and monitoring of electrical and optical signals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The concept of using a patch port device for injecting and
monitoring an electrical signal is well known. A patch port device
is typically a passive symmetrical device, providing for an input
port, an output port, a monitoring port, and an injection port. In
the normal mode of operation, the patch port device simply allows
for an input electrical signal to be passed through as an output
electrical signal. However, there may occasionally be the need to
inject another electrical signal as the output electrical signal or
to monitor the input electrical signal. When an electrical cable is
plugged into the monitoring port of the patch port device for
monitoring the input electrical signal, the presence of the
electrical cable at the monitoring port is physically detected so
that the input electrical signal is no longer passed through as an
output electrical signal. Instead, the input electrical signal is
sent out to the electrical cable plugged in the monitoring port,
controlled by a switch activated by the physical detection.
Similarly, when an electrical cable is plugged into the injection
port of the patch port device for injecting another electrical
signal as the output electrical signal, the presence of the
electrical cable at the injection port is physically detected so
that the input electrical signal is no longer passed through as an
output electrical signal. Instead, the injected signal coming from
the electrical cable plugged in the injection port is sent out as
the output electrical signal, controlled by a switch activated by
the physical detection.
[0003] Prior networks relied on electrical lines to transmit
information. However, fiber optic lines of newer systems are
capable of much higher rates of transmission. As the use of optical
networks becomes more prevalent, there is a need for an alternative
to the patch port device described above that can provide for
injection and monitoring of optical signals, as well as existing
electrical signals, in addition to being able to provide for
conversion between optical and electrical signals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention provides in one aspect an optical patch panel
device comprising: an optical input port for receiving an input
optical signal; an electrical output port for transmitting an
output electrical signal; an optical-to-electrical converter for
generating the output electrical signal in response to the input
optical signal; a signal monitor for monitoring at least one of the
input optical signal or the output electrical signal; a signal
injector having an active and an inactive mode; wherein, when the a
signal injector is in its active mode: the signal injector is
operative to allow injection of an injected optical signal or an
injected electrical signal; the output electrical signal
corresponds to the injected signal; if the injected signal is an
optical signal, the converter is adapted to generate the output
electrical signal corresponding to the injected signal; if the
injected signal is an electrical signal, the converter is
inoperative (or alternatively switched out of the circuit); and
wherein, when the signal injector is in its inactive mode, then the
converter generates the output electrical signal corresponding to
the input optical signal.
[0005] The invention provides in another aspect an optical patch
panel device comprising: an electrical input port for receiving an
input electrical signal; an optical output port for transmitting an
output optical signal; an electrical-to-optical converter for
generating the output optical signal in response to the input
electrical signal; a signal monitor for monitoring at least one of
the input electrical signal or the output optical signal; a signal
injector having an active and an inactive mode; wherein, when the
signal injector is in its active mode: the signal injector is
operative to allow injection of an injected optical signal or an
injected electrical signal; the output optical signal corresponds
to the injected signal; if the injected signal is an electrical
signal, the converter is adapted to generate the output optical
signal corresponding to the injected signal; if the injected signal
is an optical signal, the converter is inoperative (or
alternatively switched out of the circuit); and wherein, when the
signal injector is in its inactive mode, then the converter
generates the output optical signal corresponding to the input
electrical signal.
[0006] The invention further provides in another aspect the signal
injector is controlled by a sensor that senses the connection of at
least one of a second optical signal or a second electrical signal,
wherein the sensor may be comprise: a) a light emitter and a light
sensor, b) two capacitance plates, c) a micro-switch and a button,
and d) a micro-switch and one or more switch arms.
[0007] In some embodiments, the optical patch panel device may be
hot-swappable.
[0008] Further aspects and advantages of the invention will appear
from the following description taken together with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to
show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will
now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which
show some examples of the present invention, and in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example implementation of a
switching system using an optical-to-electrical patch panel device
and an electrical-to-optical patch panel device of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an illustrative block diagram of the
optical-to-electrical patch panel device of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an illustrative block diagram of the
electrical-to-optical patch panel device of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram of an example
implementation of an incoming cable and a cable receptacle of
either the optical-to-electrical patch panel device of FIG. 2 or
the electrical-to-optical patch panel device of FIG. 3 having a
sensor including a light emitter and a light sensor;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram of an example
implementation of an incoming cable and a cable receptacle of
either the optical-to-electrical patch panel device of FIG. 2 or
the electrical-to-optical patch panel device of FIG. 3 having a
sensor including capacitance plates;
[0015] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional diagram of an example
implementation of an incoming cable and a cable receptacle of
either the optical-to-electrical patch panel device of FIG. 2 or
the electrical-to-optical patch panel device of FIG. 3 having a
sensor including a a micro-switch;
[0016] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional diagram of an example
implementation of an incoming cable and a cable receptacle of
either the optical-to-electrical patch panel device of FIG. 2 or
the electrical-to-optical patch panel device of FIG. 3 having a
sensor having a a micro-switch; and
[0017] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the physical implementation
of either the optical-to-electrical patch panel device of FIG. 2 or
the electrical-to-optical patch panel device of FIG. 3;
[0018] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily
been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the
elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity.
Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be
repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous
elements.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Reference is first made to FIG. 1 showing an example
implementation of a switching system 100 using an
optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 and an
electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 of the present
invention. Switching system 100 is adapted for receiving an
input-side incoming optical signal 105 and transmitting output-side
outgoing optical signal 135. Input-side incoming optical signal 105
and output-side outgoing optical signal 135 may be any type of
optical signal carrying any content.
[0020] In the normal mode of operation, on the input-side of switch
120, an input-side incoming optical signal 105 is received by an
optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 and transmitted as an
input-side outgoing electrical signal 115. The input-side outgoing
electrical signal 115 is then passed through switch 120 and
transmitted as an output-side incoming electrical signal 125. The
output-side incoming electrical signal 125 is received by an
electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 and transmitted as an
output-side outgoing electrical signal 135. Additionally, the
output-side outgoing optical signal 135 may then be passed through
a distribution amplifier 140, generating distributed output optical
signals 145 for further transmission.
[0021] Switch 120 is capable of forming a connection between any
input and any output, and preferably, should form a plurality of
simultaneous connections. Where a connection is formed, the desired
input signal is conveyed to the desired output signal. It should be
noted that although in the example implementation of switching
system 100, switch 120 is an electrical switch, switch 120 may be
any kind of switch depending on the type of input and output
signals it receives. For example, switch 120 may be an optical
switch if it receives an optical signal from electrical-to-optical
patch panel device 130 and generates an optical signal for
optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110.
[0022] Reference is next made to FIG. 2 illustrating
optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 for use in switching
system 100. Optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 is adapted
to provide a signal converter, as well as signal injection and
signal monitoring. It should be noted that optical-to-electrical
patch panel device 110 does not necessarily have to be on the
input-side of switch 120, rather, optical-to-electrical patch panel
device 110 may be any patch panel device adapted for
optical-to-electrical signal conversion in a switching system.
[0023] Optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 has input-side
incoming optical signal port 282 for receiving input-side incoming
optical signal 105 and input-side outgoing electrical signal port
280 for transmitting input-side outgoing electrical signal 115.
[0024] Optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 may
additionally include ports for injecting either an electrical
inject signal or an optical inject signal. Similarly,
optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 may additionally
include ports for monitoring either an electrical monitor signal or
an optical monitor signal. For example, optical-to-electrical patch
panel device 110 may have at least one of input-side optical inject
signal port 288 for receiving input-side optical inject signal 245,
input-side optical monitor signal port 286 for transmitting
input-side optical monitor signal 250, input-side electrical inject
signal port 285 for receiving input-side electrical inject signal
255, and input-side electrical monitor signal port 284 for
transmitting input-side electrical monitor signal 260.
[0025] In the normal mode of operation, input-side incoming optical
signal 105 is received at input-side optical signal port 282 for
optical-to-electrical conversion through optical-to-electrical
patch panel device 110 and transmitted as input-side outgoing
electrical signal 115 at input-side outgoing electrical signal port
280. Specifically, input-side incoming optical signal 105 is
received at input-side incoming optical signal port 282 of
optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110, transmitted through
switch 210, further transmitted through splitter 215, further
transmitted through optical-to-electrical signal converter 220,
further transmitted through switch 225, and further transmitted to
splitter 230, before being transmitted out of optical-to-electrical
patch panel device 110 through input-side outgoing electrical
signal port 280 as input-side outgoing electrical signal 115.
[0026] Occasionally, there may be the need to inject an alternate
electrical signal or an alternate optical signal and have it
transmitted as input-side outgoing electrical signal 115, instead
of having input-side incoming optical signal 105 pass through as
input-side outgoing electrical signal 115. Where input-side optical
inject signal 245 is received at input-side optical inject signal
port 288, a sensor 270 detects either the presence of input-side
optical inject signal 245 or a connection at input-side optical
inject signal port 288 and controls switch 210 so that the
input-side optical inject signal 245 is transmitted through
splitter 215, instead of input-side incoming optical signal 105,
for optical-to-electrical conversion. Similarly, where input-side
electrical inject signal 255 is received at input-side electrical
inject signal port 285, a sensor 265 detects either the presence of
input-side electrical inject signal 255 or a connection at
input-side electrical inject signal port 285 and controls switch
225 so that the input-side electrical inject signal 255 is
transmitted through to splitter 230 instead of the converted
input-side incoming optical signal received from
optical-to-electrical converter 220.
[0027] It should be noted that switches 210 and 225 may be an
optical switch or an electrical switch, respectively.
Alternatively, switch 210 may be a combiner for combining
input-side incoming optical signal 105 to be further transmitted to
splitter 215, such that when sensor 270 detects the presence of
input-side optical inject signal 245 or a connection at input-side
optical inject signal port 288, the combiner is disabled, and
instead, input-side optical inject signal 245 is combined to be
further transmitted to splitter 215. Similarly, switch 225 may be a
combiner for combining converted input-side incoming optical signal
from optical-to-electrical converter 220 to be further transmitted
to splitter 230, such that when sensor 265 detects the presence of
input-side electrical inject signal 255 or a connection at
input-side electrical inject signal port 285, the combiner is
disabled, and instead, input-side electrical inject signal 255 is
combined to be further transmitted to splitter 230.
[0028] In some other embodiments, switch 210 may be replaced with a
passive combiner that coupling an incoming optical signal 105 or
optical inject signal 245 to the splitter 215. A passive combiner
will couple either or both of the signals 105, 245 when they are
present. This would allow an operator of the device to couple one
or more of signals 105, 245 to the device 110 such that either of
both signal is coupled passively by the combiner to splitter 215,
without requiring a sensor to detect the presence the signals or
cables carrying the signals.
[0029] Returning to a description of the example device 110,
sensors 265 and 270 may be any type of sensing devices, whether
physical, mechanical, electrical, or optical, that are capable of
detecting the connection of an input-side optical inject signal 245
at input-side optical inject signal port 288 or the connection of
an input-side electrical inject signal 255 at input-side electrical
inject signal port 285.
[0030] Occasionally, there may also be the need to monitor the
input-side incoming optical signal 105. In addition to transmitting
input-side incoming optical signal through to optical-to-electrical
signal converter 220, splitter 215 may transmit input-side incoming
optical signal as input-side optical monitor signal 250 through
input-side optical monitor signal port 286. Similarly, in addition
to transmitting converted input-side incoming optical signal as
input-side outgoing electrical signal 115, splitter 230 may
transmit converted input-side incoming optical signal as input-side
electrical monitor signal 260 through input-sided electrical
monitor signal port 284.
[0031] Reference is next made to FIG. 3 illustrating
electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 for use in switching
system 100. Electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 is adapted
to provide a signal converster, as well as signal injection and
signal monitoring. It should be noted that electrical-to-optical
patch panel device 130 does not necessarily have to be on the
output-side of switch 120, rather, electrical-to-optical patch
panel device 130 may be any patch panel device adapted for
electrical-to-optical signal conversion in a switching system.
[0032] Electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 has output-side
incoming electrical signal port 380 for receiving output-side
incoming electrical signal 125 and output-side outgoing optical
signal port 382 for transmitting output-side outgoing optical
signal 135.
[0033] Electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 may
additionally include ports for injecting either an electrical
inject signal or an optical inject signal. Similarly,
electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 may additionally
include ports for monitoring either an electrical monitor signal or
an optical monitor signal. For example, electrical-to-optical patch
panel device 130 may have at least one of output-side optical
monitor signal port 388 for transmitting output-side optical
monitor signal 360, output-side optical inject signal port 386 for
receiving output-side optical inject signal 355, output-side
electrical monitor signal port 385 for transmitting output-side
electrical monitor signal 345, and output-side electrical inject
signal port 384 for receiving output-side electrical inject signal
340.
[0034] In the normal mode of operation, output-side incoming
electrical signal 125 is received at output-side electrical signal
port 380 for electrical-to-optical conversion through
electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 and transmitted as
output-side outgoing optical signal 135 at output-side outgoing
optical signal port 382. Specifically, output-side incoming
electrical signal 125 is received at output-side incoming
electrical signal port 380 of electrical-to-optical patch panel
device 130, transmitted through switch 310, further transmitted
through splitter 315, further transmitted through
electrical-to-optical signal converter 320, further transmitted
through switch 325, and further transmitted through splitter 330,
before being transmitted out of electrical-to-optical patch panel
device 130 through output-side outgoing optical signal port 382 as
output-side outgoing optical signal 135.
[0035] Occasionally, there may be the need to inject an alternate
electrical signal or an alternate optical signal and have it
transmitted as output-side outgoing optical signal 135, instead of
having output-side incoming electrical signal 125 pass through as
output-side outgoing optical signal 135. Where output-side
electrical inject signal 340 is received at output-side electrical
inject signal port 384, a sensor 365 detects either the presence of
output-side electrical inject signal 340 or a connection at
output-side electrical inject signal port 384 and controls switch
310 so that the output-side electrical inject signal 340 is
transmitted through splitter 315 instead of output-side incoming
electrical signal 125. Similarly, where output-side optical inject
signal 355 is received at output-side optical inject signal port
386, a sensor 370 detects the either the presence of output-side
optical inject signal 355 or a connection at output-side optical
inject signal port 386 and controls switch 325 so that the
output-side optical inject signal 355 is transmitted through to
splitter 330 instead of the converted output-side incoming
electrical signal received from electrical-to-optical converter
320.
[0036] It should be noted that switches 310 and 325 may be an
optical switch or an electrical switch, respectively.
Alternatively, switch 310 may be a combiner for combining
output-side incoming electrical signal 125 to be further
transmitted to splitter 315, such that when sensor 365 detects the
presence of output-side electrical inject signal 340 or a
connection at output-side electrical inject signal port 384, the
combiner is disabled, and instead, output-side electrical inject
signal 340 is combined to be further transmitted to splitter 315.
Similarly, switch 325 may be a combiner for combining converted
output-side incoming electrical signal from electrical-to-optical
converter 320 to be further transmitted to splitter 330, such that
when sensor 370 detects the presence of output-side optical inject
signal 355 or a connection at output-side optical inject signal
port 386, the combiner is disabled, and instead, output-side
optical inject signal 355 is combined to be further transmitted to
splitter 330.
[0037] In some other embodiments, switch 310 may be replaced with a
passive combiner, as described above in relation to switch 210,
that passively combines one or both of signals 125 and 340 and
couples them to splitter 315.
[0038] Sensors 365 and 370 may be any type of sensing devices,
whether physical, mechanical, electrical, or optical, that are
capable of detecting the connection of an output-side electrical
inject signal 340 at output-side electrical inject signal port 384
or the connection of an output-side optical inject signal 355 at
output-side optical inject signal port 386.
[0039] Occasionally, there may be the need to monitor the
output-side incoming electrical signal 125. In addition to
transmitting output-side incoming electrical signal through to
electrical-to-optical signal converter 320, splitter 315 may
transmit output-side incoming electrical signal as output-side
electrical monitor signal 345 through output-side electrical
monitor signal port 385. Similarly, in addition to transmitting
converted output-side incoming electrical signal as output-side
outgoing optical signal 135, splitter 330 may transmit converted
output-side incoming electrical signal as output-side optical
monitor signal 360 through output-side optical monitor signal port
388.
[0040] Reference is next made to FIG. 4, showing cross-sectionally
an incoming cable 402 and a cable receptacle 401 of an inject
signal port of either optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110
or electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 having light
emitter 435 and light sensor 440 as sensors 265, 270, 365, or
370.
[0041] On optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110, cable
receptacle 401 would be representative of input-side electrical
inject signal port 285 or input-side optical inject signal port
288. Accordingly, incoming cable 402 would be transmitting
input-side electrical inject signal 255 or input-side optical
inject signal 245.
[0042] On electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130, cable
receptacle 401 would be representative of output-side electrical
inject signal port 384 or output-side optical inject signal port
386. Accordingly, incoming cable 402 would be transmitting
output-side electrical inject signal 340 or output-side optical
inject signal 355.
[0043] Cable receptacle 401 is comprised of cable receptacle
housing 405, which houses cable receptacle fiber 415 for
transmitting a signal. Cable receptacle adapter 410 is attached to
the end of cable receptacle housing 405 for connection with
incoming cable 402. Similarly, incoming cable 402 is comprised of
cable housing 425, which houses cable fiber 430 for transmitting a
signal. Cable adapter 420 is attached to the end of cable housing
425 for connection with cable receptacle 401. Cable receptacle
adapter 410 of cable receptacle 401 is adapted to accommodate the
connection of cable adapter 420 of incoming cable 402 such that
when the two parts are connected, cable receptacle fiber 415 is
connected to cable fiber 430 allowing a signal from incoming cable
402 to be transmitted to cable receptacle 401.
[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, cable receptacle adapter 410
has a light emitter 435 and a light sensor 440 mounted on it. For
example, light emitter 435 and light sensor 440 may be mounted on
either sides of where cable fiber 430 of incoming cable 402 is to
connect with cable receptacle 401. Thus, when incoming cable 402 is
not connected to cable receptacle 401, the light sensor 440 detects
the presence of light generated by light emitter 435. However, when
incoming cable 402 is connected to cable receptacle 401, the light
sensor 440 is not able to detect the presence of light generated by
light emitter 435 because the light generated is broken by the
connection of cable fiber 430 to cable receptacle fiber 415.
Accordingly, using this beam-break mechanism, the sensor 265, 270,
365, or 370 of either optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110
or electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 may be
implemented.
[0045] Reference is next made to FIG. 5, showing cross-sectionally
an incoming cable 402 and a cable receptacle 401 of an inject
signal port of either optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110
or electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 having capacitance
plates 505 and 510 as sensor 265, 270, 365, or 370.
[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, cable receptacle adapter 410
has capacitance plates 505 and 510 mounted on it. For example,
capacitance plates 505 and 510 may be mounted on either sides of
where cable fiber 430 of incoming cable 402 is to connect with
cable receptacle 401. Thus, when incoming cable 402 is not
connected to cable receptacle 401, capacitance plates 505 and 510
maintain a certain charge between them. However, when incoming
cable 402 is connected to cable receptacle 401 (i.e. the connection
of cable fiber 430 to cable receptacle fiber 415), the capacitance
between capacitance plates 505 and 510 change. Accordingly, using
this capacitance-based mechanism, the sensor 265, 270, 365, or 370
of either optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 or
electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 may be
implemented.
[0047] Reference is next made to FIG. 6A, showing cross-sectionally
an incoming cable 402 and a cable receptacle 401 of an inject
signal port of either optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110
or electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 having a button 610
and a micro-switch 605 as the sensor 265, 270, 365, or 370.
[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, cable receptacle adapter 410
has a button 610 mounted on micro-switch 605. For example, button
610 and micro-switch 605 may be mounted on either sides of where
cable fiber 430 of incoming cable 402 is to connect with cable
receptacle 401. Micro-switch 605 is capable of detecting very small
movements. When incoming cable 402 is not connected to cable
receptacle 401, button 610 is in a normal position and does not
exert any pressure on micro-switch 605. However, when incoming
cable 402 is connected to cable receptacle 401, button 610 is
depressed by the head of cable adapter 420 so that it pushes
micro-switch 605. Accordingly, using this micro-switch mechanism
with a button 610, the sensor 265, 270, 365, or 370 of either
optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 or
electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 may be
implemented.
[0049] Reference is next made to FIG. 6B, showing cross-sectionally
an incoming cable 402 and a cable receptacle 401 of an inject
signal port of either optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110
or electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 having a pair of
switch arms 620 and a micro-switch 615 as sensor 265, 270, 365, or
370.
[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, the switch arms 620 are
mounted on micro-switch 615. For example, switch arms 620 and
micro-switch 615 may be mounted on either sides of where cable
fiber 430 of incoming cable 402 is to connect with cable receptacle
401. In other embodiments only one switch arm may be provided.
Micro-switch 615, as with micro-switch 605 of FIG. 6A, is capable
of detecting very small movements. When incoming cable 402 is not
connected to cable receptacle 401, switch arms 620 are in a normal
position indented inwards (towards the center of the cable
receptacle) and do not exert any pressure on micro-switch 615.
However, when incoming cable 402 is connected to cable receptacle
401 (i.e. the connection of cable fiber 430 to cable receptacle
fiber 415), switch arms 620 are pushed outwards against
micro-switch 615. Accordingly, using this micro-switch mechanism
with switch arms 620, sensor 265, 270, 365, or 370 of either
optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 or
electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 may be
implemented.
[0051] Reference is next made to FIG. 7, showing the physical
implementation of either the optical-to-electrical patch panel
device 110 or the electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130.
Optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 and
electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 are implemented such
that they are hot-swappable in operation.
[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, panel 750 is connected to an
optical sub-assembly 701 and an electrical sub-assembly 703.
Optical sub-assembly 701 is comprised of optical cable receptacle
base 745 connected to an optical cable receptacle 755 of optical
cable 760. Electrical sub-assembly 703 is comprised of electrical
cable receptacle base 740 connected to an electrical cable
receptacle 765 of electrical cable 770. Electrical cable receptacle
base 740 is also connected via electrical contacts 730 to
electrical cable receptacle 725. A printed circuit board (PCB) 705
housing optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 or
electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 is comprised of at
least an optical fiber cable connector 710 and electrical cable
connector 716 having electrical contacts 715. PCB 705 may
additional comprise of a notch 720 for easy attachment to panel 750
and removal from panel 750.
[0053] In the normal mode of operation, optical fiber cable
connector 710 of PCB 705 is connected to optical sub-assembly 701
of panel 750 while electrical cable connector 716 having electrical
contacts 715 of PCB 705 is connected to electrical sub-assembly 703
of panel 750. For example, in the optical-to-electrical patch panel
device 110 of switching system 100, optical cable 760 would receive
input-side incoming optical signal 105 while electrical cable 770
would transmit input-side outgoing electrical signal 115.
Similarly, in the electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 of
switching system 100, electrical cable 770 would receive
output-side incoming electrical signal 125 while optical cable 760
would transmit output-side outgoing optical signal 135.
[0054] However, where there is a failure of the
optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 or of the
electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130, PCB 705 can be easily
removed from panel 750 for the installation of a replacement PCB
carrying either an optical-to-electrical patch panel device or
electrical-to-optical patch panel device.
[0055] While certain features of the invention have been
illustrated and described herein, many modifications,
substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of
ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that
the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications
and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
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